Justin Bieber Attends Mayweather-Cotto Fight, Calls Champ His ‘Mentor’

Al Bello/Getty Images
Al Bello/Getty Images

And we thought he was a lover, not a fighter. Justin Bieber made a perplexing appearance at the Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto boxing match on Saturday night — but he wasn't just a spectator. The "Boyfriend" singer escorted Mayweather to the ring for the fight at the MGM in Las Vegas, draped in two of the champ's belts, alongside rappers 50 Cent , Lil Wayne, and 2 Chainz. After Mayweather beat Cotto in 12 rounds, the 18-year-old was back in the ring to celebrate his win. Although the twosome may seem like an odd couple, according to reports Bieber and Mayweather are not only great friends, but the boxer has become a "mentor" to the teen — even though he has been charged with domestic violence against four women since 2002, and was arrested in 2010 for threatening to beat his own children if they called police after he punched their mother repeatedly in front of them.

Al Bello/Getty Images
Al Bello/Getty Images

But Bieber insists that Mayweather, 35, is just "misunderstood." According to a source who talked to TMZ, the pop star feels that the boxer is truly a "hard-working and clean-cut guy." The two first connected after Mayweather saw Bieber's concert-movie "Never Say Never" and was so inspired by its message, he decided he would make himself the teen's mentor. The TMZ source reveals he told Bieber that he too could achieve his level of greatness — Mayweather is 43-0 and has won seven world titles — if he worked hard like him. Four months ago, he invited Bieber to join him ringside for the Cotto fight, an opportunity the pop star jumped at. "Hard Work & Dedication," he tweeted afterwards, adding, "congrats champ. glad i could be a part of it."

Al Bello/Getty Images
Al Bello/Getty Images

Next up for Bieber is the June 19 release of his third album, Believe, which will feature collaborations with Kanye West, Usher, Drake, and Taylor Swift. On Friday, he debuted his "Boyfriend" music video — which drew more than 12 million views within its first two days of release online. And on Tuesday, he will perform the track on "The Voice" finale.

Al Bello/Getty Images
Al Bello/Getty Images

Sounds like Bieber's preparing to deliver a musical knockout!

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